Abstract

Abstract— The present study deals with numerical analysis of reinforced (RC) simply supported beam strengthened by carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) element. The two commonly used techniques near surface mounted (NSM) and externally bonded reinforcement (EBR) are considered. For the NSM technique, the two configurations of strengthening by CFRP, rod and sheet, have been used, while Sheet type at bottom surface of beam is used for EBR technique. ANSYS V15 has been employed to achieve the present work. Also study is focused on investigation of some parameters that may affect the performance of strengthened RC beam. Parameter studied here are; effect of NSM CFRP ratio, configuration of CFRP type of reinforcement (rod or sheet), distribution of NSM CFRP rod area through beam width and the effect of simulation of epoxy grove. The results revealed that using higher ratios of CFRP results in considerable improvement in ultimate load capacity, an increment up to 180% in ultimate load capacity can be achieved with increasing the NSM rod ratio from 0.047% to 0.377%. Slight effect of using CFRP sheet instead of CFRP rod has been obtained, the range of influence was 94% - 123%. Also use different diameters of NSM CFRP rod for the same ratio of area decreases the post- cracking stiffness response with significant decrease in ultimate load capacity. The analysis yields that use various model of epoxy-groove between CFRP and concrete have little effect on the behaviour of strengthened beam.